The Air Force has decided to let Maj. Jill Metzger take an 18-month leave, according to the Associated Press news service. Metzger is the airman who said she was kidnapped over a three-day period she was missing in Kyrgyzstan last year. The Air Force Office of Special Investigation hasn’t yet completed its investigation of the case. Metzger returned to work at Moody AFB, Ga., shortly after being redeployed from Kyrgyz. (There’s an update on this that says there wil be no 18-month leave.)
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…